Morning sickness - Nausea and vomiting
It occurs in approximately one half of all pregnancies, usually between sixth and sixteenth weeks. As a result women will often reduce the amount they eat while experiencing it. While in most cases morning sickness is not thought to interfere with the development of the foetus, severe vomiting could lead to dehydration and may require medical treatment. Excessive vomiting during pregnancies is termed hyperemesis gravidarum and usually requires hospital admission.
From the moment of conception the body undergoes profound changes. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) point of view, the Penetrating vessel (which has a close relationship with the uterus and the stomach channel) is required to nourish the uterus (foetus), and therefore weaken the descending action of the Stomach, causing rebellious Qi, leading to nausea and vomiting. Treatment aims to harmonise the Penetrating vessel and tonify Stomach Qi.
Constipation
Constipation is a frequent problem for many pregnant women, often because they suffer from morning sickness and this prevents them from having a healthy fibre diet. Because pregnant women may be experiencing increased urinary frequency they may also be reluctant to increase their fluid intake.
TCM considers that constipation can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions, such as Blood deficiency, Kidney Yin deficiency, Liver Qi stagnation and Stomach fire blazing. These are all common conditions in pregnant women. It is therefore important to check that Spleen-damaging cold substances, such as copious cold water or dairy drinks, are not consumed excessively. Also the heating of food such as ginger tea needs to be monitored as this can contribute to Stomach heat.
Insomnia
Other symptoms of pregnancy such as nausea, frequent urination at night, anxiety, heartburn or difficulty changing position due to limited movement could all cause insomnia. Therefore treatment for insomnia is based on what other condition could be contributing to the deterioration of good quality sleep.
From the TCM point of view, insomnia can also be caused by both excess (since an increase in interior heat is normal at this time) and deficiency patterns (due to the demands placed on those organs in producing blood and qi to nourish the foetus). Acupuncture treatment plan is designed depending on what conditions are presented.
Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids can occur when the veins of the rectum become congested and enlarged. It is often due to constipation however there are added factors in pregnancy, such as the foetus placing pressure on the bowels.
In TCM, Haemorrhoids are due to an inability of the Spleen to raise Qi, as the veins are not being maintained in their proper position. Local swelling also reflects additional Qi stagnation. Bleeding and itching may indicate some heat in the blood or a manifestation of damp-heat. Acupuncture treatment can either raise Qi, regulate the flow of Qi or clear damp-heat according to the patient’s underlying conditions.
Lower back pain
Musculoskeletal problems are normal discomforts of pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses these conditions become more prevalent. As the foetus’ weight increases, a mother’s muscles and joints need to compensate. Specific problems also arise due to pressure on the limited physical space – such as rib, hip and pelvic pain.
In TCM, musculoskeletal pain is caused by a disruption to the flow of Qi or Blood in the channels passing through a specific area. This can arise from an invasion of pathogenic factors: wind, cold, damp and heat), overuse, trauma or disharmony of an internal organ. Treatment aims to regulate Qi and nourish Blood, clearing pathogenic factors if there are any.
Heartburn
During pregnancy the increased level of hormones (progesterone and estrogen) produced have the effect of relaxing the smooth muscle tissue in the body. In the digestive tract this can lead to indigestion symptoms such as heartburn. During the last few months of pregnancy the uterus physically pushes up into the diaphragm and stomach and this can intensify the problem.
Acupuncture treatment is consistently effective in treating this condition by strengthening the Stomach and Spleen’s transforming and transporting function and clearing Stomach heat.
Exhaustion / Fatigue
During pregnancy a woman’s body needs to cope with profound hormonal changes. In the last trimester, a pregnant woman may carry an extra 10 -15 kilos and sleep will be deteriorated due to frequent urination and limited movement. Fatigue is therefore a normal discomfort arising from pregnancy. It is also linked to anaemia leading to additional symptoms such as fainting, breathlessness, palpitation etc.
In TCM, exhaustion and fatigue causes are due to an extensive range of disharmonies – such as Qi deficiency (Lung, Spleen, Heart), Liver Blood deficiency or Liver Qi Stagnation. By checking other presenting symptoms, TCM diagnosis can be confirmed. There is a deeper level of exhaustion which is more likely to involve disharmonies such as Yin deficiency (Heart and Kidney), and Yang deficiency (Spleen and Kidney). Acupuncture treatment can either supplement deficient elements or regulate the smooth flow of Liver Qi, according to patient’s underlying condition.
Anxiety and Depression
Mood swings such as irritability, weeping, fear and joy are all common emotional responses in pregnancy. However if these feelings become overwhelming over a long period, it can result in anxiety or depression.
In TCM, all the organs have an effect on a balanced emotional life. The Heart and the Liver are particularly important. The Heart houses the mind or spirit. If the Heart is strong, there will be normal mental activity. The Liver ensures the flow of Qi, and if it becomes constrained, there is the potential for feelings of depression. Acupuncture treatment can benefit psychological problems by strengthening the Heart function and regulating the smooth flow of Liver Qi.
Post-natal Treatment
Women in the post-natal period are prone to suffering from
Severe deficiency or excess could lead to postnatal depression. In each case, acupuncture can either supplement the deficiencies or clear the excess factors.